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The Washington Capitals blew a late 2-0 lead, but eked out a much-needed shootout victory on the road against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. The defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins could have clinched a playoff spot with a win, while the Capitals moved into a tie for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot with the victory, although they have played one more game than the Buffalo Sabres.

Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas had a chance to win the game in the shootout, but couldn’t stop Washington’s Alex Semin in the third round. “I was very surprised because I thought I won the game on Semin’s, to be honest with you,” said Thomas after the loss. “Where he got the shot off from, 98 percent of the time the guy’s going to miss the net from there. If he didn’t have that funky curve, he couldn’t do what he did.” Washington’s Brooks Laich then beat Thomas for the game-winner in the next round.

Bruins coach Claude Julien didn’t feel he got a big league effort from his club. “I just saw our team being maybe a half a step behind what we normally are when we’re at our best,” Julien said. “But when you talk about a half a step, a half a step is what a lot of minor leaguers lack a lot of times to keep them from making it to the NHL. So what seems small is actually a pretty big thing.”

The Bruins are six points ahead of the Ottawa Senators for the Northeast Division lead, and would be the East’s second seed if the season ended today.